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' Red 2' plays it too safe

By Tony Hicks, Contra Costa Times

Updated:
07/18/2013 06:30:20 AM EDT

This film publicity image released by Summit Entertainment shows Helen Mirren in a scene from "Red 2." The film will be released nationwide on Friday, July 19. (AP Photo/Summit Entertainment, Frank Masi) (Frank Masi)

In 2010, "Red" delightfully sneaked up on us. The story of retired CIA black-ops veterans pressed back into service was funny and fresh and, most importantly, gave the world the chance to watch Helen Mirren kick butt in ways that would make Jason Bourne think twice about stealing her purse.

The film did so well that producers whipped up "Red 2" for Mirren, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and company. Unfortunately, while the sequel manages to retain some of the charm of the original, it does little else. There is a sense that "Red 2" is resting on its laurels and relying on the audience to simply enjoy the interplay among the actors while absorbing jumbled plot points that are being offered without much explanation.

Who were the bad guys? I'm still not sure.

But at least the actors look like they were still having fun, in a "Let's Make 'Ocean's 13' so George Clooney can hang out with Brad Pitt and Matt Damon some more" kind of way.

All of which adds up to a movie that isn't particularly good but is still fun, thanks mainly to the sheer strength of the cast.

At times, "Red 2" is like watching a Dean Martin roast back in the 1970s (get on YouTube and search for Don Rickles and Frank Sinatra). There's not a lot of substance, but it's difficult not to enjoy watching the interplay of talented, funny people who seem to enjoy working together.

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A new cast member, Korean martial arts wizard Byung-hun Lee, shows off some subtle comedy chops as a hit man out to get Willis' Frank Moses, who has been accused of hatching an operation called "Nightshade" that involved a hidden, portable nuclear weapon. Another new addition, Anthony Hopkins, plays a scientist who created and hid a nuclear weapon suitcase about three decades ago, the finding of which is the centerpiece of the film.

Not surprisingly, the story line is more humorous than logical. Of course it's funny when Malkovich's neurotic, socially challenged Marvin Boggs tracks down Moses at Costco -- where he's trying to engage in some domestic shopping with his partner, Sarah Ross (Mary-Louise Parker) -- to tell him he thinks they're in trouble and to remind him, after all, that Moses hasn't killed anyone in months. And Mirren is always a pleasure to watch, especially when hilariously disposing of a body while talking business on the phone.

But step back from the comedy, and the story gets thin. The first film dealt more with retired spies trying to adjust to real life, which gave it some depth. Now that story line just feels played out, especially since Willis has seemingly dedicated his career to playing aging former military and law enforcement studs out to prove they haven't lost their edge (Willis is supposedly lined up to play a retired CIA agent/mentor in an upcoming adaptation of one of Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp books).

Parker is a pleasant surprise, showing comedic chops and a newfound ability to get into the violent swing of things. She steals a number of scenes, especially those with Catherine Zeta-Jones' Russian agent (and Moses' former flame) Katja.

But for the most part, the surprises are few and far between. Fans of the first film should view "Red 2" as a chance to savor the interplay of very good actors but not much else -- meaning it is likely worth a matinee or a rental down the road. That is a shame; the first "Red" was a great idea and an unexpected hit.

Any good spy has to take risks to be successful. Too bad director Dean Parisot and his team didn't employ the same concept.